Mr. Ocampo is expected to hold talks with the two principals President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister raila Odinga in order to find a way forward over the post election violence suspects.
The talks are expected to be an impetus to the prosecution of the post election violence perpetrators. The highly anticipated visit by the ICC Chief Prosecutor is a welcomed move by Kenyans as this is a step closer to the ever elusive justice that they have been yearning for close to two years now.
The ruling class in Kenya has been procrastinating over what to do with the suspects of the hotly contested election of 2007. A move to have the suspects tried by a local tribunal was thwarted by Members of Parliament who overwhelmingly defeated the motion to establish the tribunal terming it as a forced idea by the two principals.
Local Tribunal vs. The Hague
Kenyans are divided over the local tribunal and the possibility of suspects being taken to The Hague. Although many Kenyans have expressed their confidence in The Hague option, some political leaders have tried to ensure that suspects are tried locally, terming The Hague as a confirmation that the Kenyan Judiciary system is inefficient.
Ocampo’s visit although welcomed, has ruffled feathers in the political scene as a section of politicians is reading mischief into the planned visit. As reported in The Standard On Sunday (October 18, 2009) politicians are asking why Ocampo is meeting the two Principals when they could possibly be top on the list of suspects.
The prosecution of the post election suspects will serve as a gateway to finally ending the impunity that the country has experienced over the years. In the wake of the violence that the country experienced immediately after the winner of the 2007 elections was announced, many people believed that there were plans to carryout atrocities regardless of who won.
Delayed Jutice
The violence experienced in Kenya is still fresh in the minds of many as the suspects behind the killings and destruction of property have not been tried or arrested. Although some suspects were apprehended and sentenced for destruction of property and looting, the masterminds of the violence are yet to be brought to book.
The leadership in Kenya has promised to ensure that all the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted although no serious progress has been made. With the establishment of a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission a section of Kenyans feel that this is a smoke screen to enable the culprits to walk away with a slap on the wrist.
The TJRC is already under much scrutiny because the chairman Ambassador Bethwell Kiplagat, who served under the former President Moi regime. The TJRC has stated that it is not in place to try the perpetrators of the violence but to establish the causes of injustice in Kenya over the years and bring Kenyans together.
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